State expands program to connect youth with mental health services

The state is expanding a program that better connects youth to mental health services.

The program, which aims to get youth mental health treatment through their primary care doctor's office, started in Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore in January and will now expand statewide.

Pediatric doctors have access to mental health professionals for consultation and guidance under the program.

Doctors can reach mental health doctors through phone consultation or they can tap a database with a list of providers where primary care doctors can refer patients.

Primary doctors also have access to training on mental health issues. Faculty and graduate students from Salisbury University are placed in some doctor's offices under another aspect of the program. Salisbury interns had contact with 269 families during the pilot program.